In a recent study, conducted by the researchers of Washington University School of Medicine, it has been found there is a link between CD36 receptor and the craving for food. According to the researchers, it is the receptor which gives rise to craving in a person for fatty food.

The researchers are hopeful that their findings would help in detecting better way of treating eating disorder. It has been explained that the CD36 receptors are located on the tongue of people which helps them in detecting fat in the food. The people with less sensitivity have higher chances of indulging in overeating. Similarly, the people with higher sensitivity show reluctance in indulging in the overeating habit.

It is a previously known fact that the obese people have the tendency of getting attracted to food through aroma. It has been claimed by the researchers that variation in the level of CD36 receptor makes people less or more sensitive towards fatty food.

While commenting upon the findings of the study, the author of the study, Professor Nada Abumrad, said, “We've found one potential reason for individual variability in how people sense fat. What we will need to determine in the future is whether our ability to detect fat in foods influences our fat intake, which clearly would have an impact on obesity”.

The findings have been published in the Journal of Lipid Research. It is believed that about 20% of the obese people have lower level of CD36 receptor, which makes them indulge in the practice of overeating.

It is believed that the findings of the study would help in fighting obesity which has caused menace all over the world. There are large numbers of people suffering from obesity. Obesity can be deadly as it causes fatal diseases and often incurable diseases.